PORT TOWNSEND — Upper Sims Way merchants are preparing for a “grand reopening” after months of inconvenience resulting from roundabouts and repaving, and the city is kicking in to persuade people to attend.
After merchant requests, the city paid a combined $3,500 to place four advertisements in the Peninsula Daily News and the Port Townsend Leader.
The money was approved by City Manager David Timmons, and draws from the a promotional budget that was set aside for that purpose, according to Mayor Michelle Sandoval.
The event, which begins at 11 a.m. July 16 in front of Union Bank at 2200 Sims Way, grew from a series of meetings with merchants who voiced their displeasure with the construction process.
It resulted in the city making compromises and hiring a sign consultant along with paying for the newspaper ads.
It has also brought the merchants together.
“Doing this event has allowed us to get to know our neighbors,” said Gail McLane, owner of McLane’s Cafe. “We hadn’t done that before.”
McLane said the new road surfaces “look really good” and provide a “nice way to welcome people into the community.”
She has also grown to like the roundabouts — two traffic circles which cause state Highway 20 to circle through intersections.
“Before the roundabouts, I needed to turn into a driveway or parking lot to go south,” she said.
“Now, it is much easier.”
Crafts Cottage owner Melanie Bozak said she didn’t like the idea of the roundabouts at first “but has learned to live with it.”
Bozak said the next step is to attract new businesses.
“There is some nice land across from the Highway 20 Road House,” she said. “There is a tremendous opportunity for the someone to go in there and build a business.”
Bozak said about 16 businesses are actively participating in the June 16 event and she expects more will sign on.
After the landscaping, new signs will be installed.
This will include signs at the roundabout instructing incoming motorists to yield as well as those providing directions to specific businesses.
“We are going to look at all the signage and listen to businesses about what they would like to see,” Sandoval said.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
